Claudius Gothicus

Claudius Gothicus (10 May 213-January 270) was Emperor of the Roman Empire from 268 to 270, succeeding Gallienus and preceding Quintillus.

Biography
Claudius Gothicus was born on 10 May 213 in Sirmium, Pannonia Inferior to a family of Illyrians. Emperor Gallienus made him the commander of his elite cavalry force, and in 268 he fought the usurper Aureolus in Mediolanium (Milan, Italy). In 268, one of Claudius' men struck down Gallienus after he left his tent, and Claudius became the new emperor. After the 269 victory at the Battle of Naissus against the Goths, he became known as "Gothicus", and he also fought successfully against the Alemanni of Germania. That same year, he had Saint Valentine martyred during his persecution of Christians. In 270, he died of plague as it ravaged Europe.